Conus

2.0 Experimental Approach Predatory cone snails (genus Conus) produce a rich array of venoms that collectively contain an estimated 100,000 small, disulfide-rich peptides (i.e., conotoxins, or conopeptides). Over the last few decades, the conopeptides have revealed a remarkable diversity of pharmacological function and utility. An evolutionary rationale for the existence of such a large and pharmacologically diverse set of gene products can be premised on the complexity of intra- and interspecies interactions that define the ecology of Conus snails. Insights into these evolutionary trends, moreover, have been exploited with great neuropharmacological success, so that research into the Conus snails effectively recapitulates a new concerted…

The claimant works as a truck driver. He had an injury on 08/28/2017 while he was tying down loads, he suddenly felt low back pain. He was unable to perform his work the following morning. MRI of the lumbar spine dated 09/13/2017 showed desiccation of disc at the L4-L5 level with circumferential disc bulge and mild degenerative change facets. There was a mild bilateral bony neural foraminal narrowing at the L4-L5 level with possible but not definite L4 nerve root impingement. The tip of the…

service member’s chosen Military Occupational Skill (MOS). The length of AIT is different for each MOS since some skills are more complex than others. AIT may not be as rough for some service members mainly due to the slightly more relaxed environment. Service members are allowed a few more privileges such as use of a phone during down times and in turn this allows service members to speak to family and friends back home. At the end of AIT, service members will receive their orders sending…

Venomous animals such as scorpions, snakes and sea anemones secrete bio-toxins which are vital in the regulation of ion channel activity. Envenomations induced by these animals cause a spectrum of clinical manifestations ranging from mild cases such as local edema to severe ones such as intravascular hemolysis. In particular, marine snail, Conus geographus toxins such as μ–conotoxins GIIIA, GIIIB, and GIIIC affect the Nav channels. These toxins block current flow thereby reducing membrane…

1. Major Kevin Tann is an exceptional, loyal, leader, who exemplifies unmatched personal courage and high morals. His service was characterized through his dedication to developing Soldiers as well as civilian staff members. His core leader attributes included, superior strategic coordinator, professionalism, eloquent communicator, an extremely capable trainer who embodied mission success and persistent work ethics. 2. I initially met Major Tann while serving on the Army Staff nearly a…

Unconventional Warfare is challenging to understand due to perception and culture among politicians and their high ranking military advisers. The perception of UW often scares politicians. They remember the CIA’s past failures and don’t like the idea of something they have no control over. They also fail to plan long term. The United States has been extremely reactionary to world affairs for a long time. UW is a concept that takes time and preparation that cannot happen in a crisis. COCOM…

Dogs In Vietnam, there was a specialized requirement for tunnel dogs to detect and explore the tunnels exploited by the Viet Cong. The tunnel dwellers feared the dogs and used tactics to confuse the dogs. For example, they washed with GI soap and covered air vents with shirts taken from Americans so the dogs’ sense of smell would not be alerted. Explosives Detection In the War on Terrorism, a common threat is explosives hidden on a person, in a vehicle, or roadside location. Explosives Detection…

imprudent requirement for Masters to perform training while aboard MSC ships that do not have sufficient bandwidth/internet connection/access to allow them to do so. Hence, Masters are unreasonably forced to utilize local "hotspots" with internet service to perform the duties of their position and training requiring internet access. MSC ships' internet service has been and it remains unreliable which is notably documented with MSC and SRA. This substantiated information was provided by our…

later as a Special Equipment Operator (SEO) (mission equipment operator) onboard the WC-135 Constant Phoenix; we flew sorties to support nuclear test ban treaties. During that time as an SEO, I attended several Survival Schools as part of my training. I attended S-V80-A (Combat Survival School), S-V90-A (Non-Parachuting Water Survival School), and S-V83-A (Special Survival School) - also called SERE 220 and put on by JPRA. Later I moved to Offutt AFB, NE to help stand up the new AFTAC detachment…

Devris, your essay regarding the lack of understanding of Unconventional Warfare (UW) hit the point. Special Forces are in high demand, and there’s an expectation from higher leadership to turn us into universal soldiers. We live in a complex world which requires specialty training to meet mission demand. Green Berets known as “a jack of all trades but masters of none.” Our OPTEMPO has been very intense, 1:1 mission to dwell time. Last several years I deployed six months out of the year. While…